Fellow scorer Darcey Bussell added: "Well you both performed very well tonight, but for content and energy as well, I am going to save Nicky and Karen."

Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli also chose to save Nicky, saying: "Both highly entertaining, but I have to go as well with power and content, and that was delivered by Nicky & Karen."

With the judges ruling against him, Richard - who was the favourite to go this week - became the sixth contestant leave the competition.

BBC

Spectacular: Girls Aloud performing their new song Something New

But despite his exit Richard refused to be down-hearted and said he had "loved" being in the show.

He said: "Do you know what is amazing about this experience is that this party is happening in millions of homes around the country.

"The one thing I'll take from it is that now when I walk down the street people no longer cross the road to avoid me. Now they smile, they want to chat. It's been amazing.

"You guys here have been amazing. You know how much I love you guys [the judges] and to be part of this company of players has been amazing."

He also paid tribute to his dancing partner Erin, who he revealed he called "her indoors".

BBC

Blast from the past: Kylie does the 'Locomotion' again

"And one final thing - this is madam's [Erin] tenth series, I call her "her indoors" and a round of applause for Erin Boag, she has made the last two months fantastic," he said.

"I always thought I'd miss the wardrobe most, but I don't think I will, I will miss Erin Boag, who - every Monday - it's like climbing a mountain, and every Monday she'd say 'welcome to another week'."

Erin was equally full of praise for the TV presenter and said Richard had made the last two months of her life "a big joy".

She said: "Richard has made the last two months of my life a big joy. He's full of life and full of energy, and I'm really proud to have taught him, and to have danced with you. And to call you my friend"

Sunday nights result's show also featured a performance from supergroup pop sensation, Girls Aloud, singing their new song Something New, as well as pop princess Kylie Minogue, singing her classic The Locomotion.